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Political Elites [Pakistan] - President Ali Zardari

October 07, 2009

This article, by Jason Diaz, was published by antiwar.com, October 7, 2009

In the latest indication yet of growing opposition to the conditions tied to a US offer of billions in aid, Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff General Parvez Kayani lodged a formal protest with US General Stanley McChrystal, declaring that the military was “furious” at the observations made in the bill and comments made by US officials since its passage.
The Kerry-Lugar Bill, which the Senate passed last week, pledges to triple non-military aid to the economically struggling Pakistan. But the bill also issues demands about continuing the military offensives against militants across the nation, and also seeks to establish US oversight to ensure that the nation’s civilian government has primacy over its military.
The offer of aid will come under debate in Pakistan’s National Assembly, and amid growing uproar the debate is almost certain to be a contentious one, underscoring the rising opposition to American influence in and over the nation. Yet the National Assembly’s support will not be required to move the bill forward.
The ultimate decision lies with Pakistan’s controversial President Asif Ali Zardari. He has been a long-time advocate of closer ties with the US and his office claims the opposition to the bill is a personal insult to him. His dwindling supporters suggest that the government could basically ignore the requirements in the bill with impunity.
But while Gen. Kayani has gone out of his way since taking charge of the military to avoid getting involved in political affairs, Pakistan’s long history of military independence, intersperced with coups d’etat, are unlikely to be changed by an increasingly unpopular president and an offer of US funds. Zardari likely can’t afford to accept America’s billions unless he can convince Kayani and the rest of the nation that it isn’t, as some have called it, a de facto article of surrender.